Apparatus and a method for cleaning enclosed spaces

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method to clean enclosed spaces. The apparatus consists of an inlet-pipe ( 1 ) for cleaning-medium, equipped with thread ( 10 ) on outside where a vertical displacement nut ( 12 ) is located, which moves vertically when the drive-shaft ( 6 ), which is directly connected to a cleaning-medium distributor ( 18 ) and, indirectly to a shielding-pipe ( 8 ) and nozzle-arms ( 15, 21 ), is rotated by a motor ( 3 ). The upper nozzle-arms ( 21 ) and the vertical displacement nut ( 12 ) are interconnected through vertical displacement arms ( 14 ) so that the nozzle-arms move vertically and circularly in concert with the vertical displacement nut ( 12 ) when the motor rotates the drive-shaft ( 6 ). The method relates to cleaning of various enclosed spaces with different cleaning media and is effective for cleaning enclosed spaces such as storage tanks.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for cleaningenclosed spaces such as storage tanks and related compartments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At present, there is an increased demand for the cleanliness of storagetanks and other containers storing goods such as fuel oil, fish oil andbeverages of various types e.g. beer, soda-drinks or milk. The apparatuscommercially available for cleaning storage tanks place considerablerequirements to the type of space to be washed and cleaned. In the caseof storage tanks, the size, position of openings and the presence ofcolumns inside the tank can limit the utility of the apparatus. In manycases, apparatus specific for certain kinds of tanks have to beconstructed. In most cases the apparatus operate at high pressure thusmaking them expensive and bulky. Furthermore, the high pressure involvedincreases the the risk of explosion in the case of tanks storingexplosive and/or inflammable materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive andversatile apparatus of simple construction that can be moved betweenspaces of different kinds and sizes. This aim is achieved by anapparatus equipped with nozzle-arms, that can be adjusted in length andmove vertically upwards and downwards with the aid of specificallyconstructed device for displacement. The rotational movement andvertical displacement are harmonized and stepless. Detectors andswitches change the displacement when the limit of vertical displacementis reached. The apparatus can also be controlled from outside, e.g. by acomputer. There is no requirement for specific fastening means insidethe space to be cleaned and the apparatus operates as one unit locatedinside the space, except for an inlet for the cleaning-medium and/ordevice for recycling of the cleaning-medium and optional device forcontrolling. The placement of openings or the presence of columns in thetank does not influence the usefulness of the apparatus. The device forvertical displacement and the means for adjusting the lenghts ofnozzle-arms make it possible to exploit the force of gravity of thecleaning-medium and to operate at a lower pressure than otherwise wouldbe possible, thus enabling the use of inexpensive nozzles andfluid-system.

As the apparatus contains no oil, it is ideal for use in the food anddrink industries, where external contamination must be kept to anabsolute minimum. Yet another advantage is, that only one operator isrequired who, if needed, can control several units at a time.

The embodiments of the invention are as characterized in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention is further described with references to the followingfigures:

FIG. 1 Side-view of the apparatus (nozzle-arms in ca. 60° position)

FIG. 2 Side-view of the apparatus (nozzle-arms in horizontal position)

FIG. 3 Shows the apparatus from above (nozzle-arms in horizontalposition)

FIG. 4 Shows three dimensional view of an embodiment with twonozzle-arms (arms not shown in full length)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

At the lower part of the apparatus is an inlet-pipe (1) where thecleaning-medium is let in. At the upper part, the inlet-pipe is equippedwith a thread (10) with a vertical displacement nut (12). Around theinlet-pipe, mainly in the part equipped with the thread, is ashielding-pipe (8), connected to a cleaning-medium distributor (18)through sealing-contactor (17) but the distributor (18) is connected tothe nozzle-arms (15, 21) which are adjustable in length. The upper arms(21) and lower arms (15) are one unit; a pipe that transports thecleaning-medium to the nozzles at each end from movable fastening to thedistributor located approximately at the middle of the pipe. Thevertical displacement arms (14) are connected at one end to the upperarms (21) with clips (20) and at the other end, through slits (22) inthe shielding-pipe (8), to fastening-bolts (13) on the verticaldisplacement nut (12) that sits around the thread (10) on theinlet-pipe. The clips (20) can be moved on the nozzle-arms (21) and thelength of the vertical displacement arms (14) can be altered. Inside theinlet-pipe (1), in the upper part, is the drive-shaft (6) that isconnected at the lower end to the motor (3) through connecting-flange(4) and at the upper end to the distributor (18) and, indirectly, to theshielding-pipe (8) and nozzle-arms (15, 21). Detectors/stop-rings (9,16)are placed around the shielding-pipe (8) which are interconnected andconnected to a contacting-ring (7) with pins (11). The contacting-ring(7) activates/deactivates switch (5) that in turn controls the motor(3). A swivel (19) is intended to fasten (hang up) the apparatus to theenclosed space that is to be cleaned. Similar purpose has thefastening-flange (2) at the lower end of the inlet-pipe that can beplaced on a stand on the bottom of the enclosed space or can be fastenedin other way.

It is possible to limit the embodiment to two nozzle-arms i.e. to theupper arms (21), as shown in FIG. 4, or even to a pair (15, 21).

When in use, according to the method of the invention, cleaning-mediumis led into the inlet-pipe (1) that flows into the continuation of theinlet-pipe (10) into, the distributor (18) and then all the way to thenozzle-arms (15, 21) and the nozzles. When the motor (3) is turned on,the drive-shaft (6) rotates as well as the shielding-pipe/distributor(8/18) together with the nozzle-arms (15, 21). The rotation results inmovement of the vertical displacement nut (12) either upwards ordownwards, depending on the direction of rotation of the motor (3). Thenozzle-arms (15, 21) move similarily either upwards or downwards in acircular movement. The vertical movement is limited bydetectors/stop-rings (9,16) because when the vertical displacement nut(12) contacts the rings (9,16) a signal is transmitted to thecontacting-ring (7) that in turn transmits a signal to the switch (5)which changes the rotation of the motor (3). It is possible to vary thevertical displacement and the rate of the displacement by altering thedistance between the rings (9,16) and/or the position of the clips (20)on the upper nozzle-arm (21), hence the angle between the verticaldisplacement-arms (14) and the shielding-pipe (8). Optionally, thedirection of rotation and the number of rotations can be controlled fromoutside of the space e.g. by a computer. The method allows exact controlof nozzles and every part of the space will be cleaned in detail.

Although the apparatus was originally constructed for cleaning storagetanks of different kinds, it is also suitable for cleaning other typesof spaces such as containers, ships holds or pipes. In addition, it isalso ideal for use when spraying tanks with protective agents such asanti-oxidants and anticorrosives.

The cleaning-medium can be of different kinds; fluid or gas and evensand. By recycling, the activity of the cleaning-medium can be utilizedto the utmost. Also, the cleaning-medium can optionally be refined e.g.outside the enclosed space to be cleaned. Furthermore, the temperatureand the pressure of the cleaning-medium can be controlled.

REFERENCE NUMBERS USED IN THE FIGURES

-   1. Inlet-pipe-   2. Fastening-flange-   3. Motor-   4. Connecting-flange-   5. Switch-   6. Drive shaft-   7. Contacting-ring-   8. Shielding-pipe-   9. Stop-ring-   10. Thread-   11. Pin-   12. Vertical displacement nut-   13. Fastening-bolt-   14. Vertical displacement arms-   15. Lower nozzle-arms-   16. Stop-ring-   17. Sealing-contactor-   18. Distributor-   19. Swivel-   20. Clip-   21. Upper nozzle-arms-   22. Slit

1. An apparatus for cleaning an enclosed space comprising: an inlet-pipefor transporting cleaning-medium, having a thread on the outside of theinlet-pipe, a shielding-pipe, rotatable relative to the inlet-pipe, inclose but spaced relation to, and surrounding, the inlet-pipe, andhaving a longitudinal opening through a surface of the shielding-pipealong at least a portion of its length, a cleaning-medium distributor atone end of the inlet-pipe, upper and lower nozzle-arms in fluidcommunication with the cleaning-medium distributor, a rotatable driveshaft extending through the inlet-pipe and operably connected to thecleaning-medium distributor, a controllable motor for rotating the driveshaft, a displacement nut to operably engage the thread on theinlet-pipe, the displacement nut being accessible through thelongitudinal opening in the surface of the rotatable shielding-pipe, anddisplacement arms to operably connect the displacement nut to the uppernozzle-arms, wherein the nozzle-arms are arranged and constructed tomove vertically and circularly in concert with the displacement nut whenthe motor rotates the drive shaft.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein the motor is an electric, pneumatic or hydraulic motor.
 3. Theapparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a control deviceto control the motor and elements that detect displacement of thedisplacement nut and transmit a signal to a switching device thatcontrols the motor.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 whereinthe rotation of the motor is controlled from outside of the enclosedspace.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein thedisplacement arms are adjustable in length.
 6. The apparatus accordingto claim 1 or 2 wherein the nozzle-arms are adjustable in length.
 7. Theapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the only nozzle-arms are thoseconnected to the displacement arms.